The Daily Lard 1-28-12

Douglas LeeJan 28, 2012 9:10 AM

Good Morning, Broncos fans! Jack Del Rio will become Denver's seventh DC in seven seasons this year; he was also John Fox's first DC with the Panthers in 2002, Del Rio's only season as an NFL DC. Obviously, the familiarity for the two men is a plus, although presumably a successful 2012 has the great likelihood of Del Rio landing another HC gig the following year. But, let's worry about that when the time comes.

Terms of Denver's deal with Del Rio were not disclosed, although the coach will make $5 million in 2012 - the salary he's owed by the Jaguars. Whatever the Broncos pay him, Jacksonville will owe Del Rio the difference of the two figures. Denver also hired former Jaguars strength coach Luke Richesson.

Broncos

Tom Brady's QB coach says he could fix Tim Tebow's mechanics in two weeks. As a Mets fan, this reminds me of Rick Peterson telling the FO he could fix craptastic pitcher Victor Zambrano's mechanics in 10 minutes, helping to convince them to acquire him for uberprospect Scott Kazmir.

The NYT's religion writer thinks all the controversy and debate surrounding Tebow's outward piety is more about religion's outsized role in football as compared to other sports, than it is about Tebow specifically.

Trimmings

Oakland officially announced their hiring of Dennis Allen and will introduce him at a Monday presser. He received a four-year deal, unlike his predecessors who all got two-year contracts; in another departure from the ways of the Al Davis era, Allen will also be allowed to select his own assistants. Mike Lombardi likes the hire but thinks the team will have to be patient with the youthful Allen.

Roger Goodell will be on 60 Minutes tomorrow, and in the interview he talks of trying to get fans into stadiums rather than watching on TV.

Brandon Marshall has thrown yet another QB under the bus, this time Matt Moore; BMarsh says he spoke to Matt Flynn about joining the Dolphins. "Come to South Beach so I can stab you in the back too! And, after spending time with me, you'll want to literally stab me - just ask my wife."

To no great surprise, John Fox ranks 34th out of 2011's 35 NFL coaches on FO's Aggressiveness Index.

This has been proven multiple times in studies. New synaptic connections develop quicker with deep practice than with unfocused repetition.Posted by DocPonderosa on 2012-01-29 10:37:53

Goodell....trying to figure out how to get fans to the stadiums and not watching on TV. That's priceless...err not quite.

I heard on the radio that 4 tickets to the Superbowl costs 64,000 bucks. Pretty much sums up the problem.

Sunday ticket for $300, or $100 if you know how to bargain well, is the easiest decision I make each year.Posted by Todd on 2012-01-29 09:03:51

I'm with TJ - I don't think the specific coach matters so much as what their plan is and what their regiment is to promote deliberate practice.

I was impressed with IMG, not really because Cam Newton and Christian Ponder looked decent coming from them, but because some of the things I've read about them simulated in game situations - for example they had a group of guys around Cam to simulate pocket pressure and had him sidestep the guys, reset his feet, then throw.

The kind of thing that Tim sucks at (anticipation and throwing when a guy has a step on his man) needs other NFL players on the field to simulate. The Broncos need to simulate defenders, different coverages, etc as much as possible and I'm not sure what the best way to do it is.Posted by chantech on 2012-01-28 16:49:51

I have a lot of respect for the work Martinez has done with Brady. A word of warning, though - he also worked with JaMarcus Russell. Russell's utter lack of a work ethic was unquestionably problematic, and Tebow's a hard worker, but no single coach can fix everyone. Would I give Martinez a shot, though? You bet.Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-01-28 15:52:17

Imagine what bMarsh would have to say about St. Tim!Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-01-28 15:23:47

Legwolds crap is so tilting. I can almost always scan the DP sports page headlines and determine who wrote what...Posted by chantech on 2012-01-28 15:20:50

LOL!Posted by BlackKnigh on 2012-01-28 15:19:50

MGM2, this saxophone player and his cellist girlfriend agree completely. TJ's exactly right about deep practice and anything can be changed with enough focused effort.

This understanding of how well deep practice can work has been the biggest reason that I think Tebow will succeed for a long time.Posted by AlexCrean on 2012-01-28 12:49:36

You put it better than I could've. Well said.Posted by H_P on 2012-01-28 12:30:12

I wish Coach Martinez was available (Can anyone in Broncos land spare a kidney?). I bet he could do it, Brady was so mediocre in college when I used to watch him. I think it would take longer to get Tebow up to par, but I bet he could do it.Posted by AlexXSmith on 2012-01-28 12:04:44

I hope Del Rio signed a 3yr - $3,000,001 contract with a $1 salary for 2012 (thank you Jacksonville).Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2012-01-28 11:59:23

Speaking as a professional cellist who had to completely rework mechanics over the course of years and injury, I completely agree with you TJ. The craft of playing a physical instrument like the cello is shockingly similar to the craft of football (having done both), and it is possible to utterly and dramatically change ones entire physical organization. And your description of the type of practice needed is entirely accurate, TJ.Posted by MGM2 on 2012-01-28 11:40:31

Actually, it is surprising that Fox is 34th of 35. Someone was actually less aggressive, haha.Posted by OutInOregon on 2012-01-28 10:52:19

Big fan of the Del Rio hire too. Even if we continue our trend of rent-a-DC (which I hope we don't), at least we're getting a guy who has proven he can do it at a high level.

Something tells me our friend Ted is already elbow-deep in an analysis of 2-gapping versus 1-gapping. I second your motion and am very excited to read about it!Posted by QDoc on 2012-01-28 10:44:12

Love the Del Rio hire. Hopefully we can get a "What a Del Rio Defense looks like" from our friend Ted. Will be interesting to see if we 2-gap a bit more as I believe that is Del Rio's preference.

Thanks as always for the LardPosted by FenwaySaratoga on 2012-01-28 10:09:44

I agree with Brady's QB coach. Through deep practice and enough time, anyone can become a passer. Tebow doesn't need 15,000/day. He needs 250-500 great throws in deep practice.Posted by TJ Johnson on 2012-01-28 10:08:07

Gotta love John Fox. One day he says he's in no hurry to hire a DC, the next day he hires Del Rio.Posted by bradley on 2012-01-28 09:48:15

I think the "Daily Lard" should be called, "Cut the Fat"Posted by Ken Kooiman on 2012-01-28 09:28:10